Ritual of Becoming: 2024 Choose One Word- to serve as a guiding beacon

My word for 2024 is renewal. My #yearofrenewal #oneword2024

“Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better”, said Albert Camus. Being free means the ability to choose;…It means no one can hold you back, no one can own you, and you're not confined by the limit’s others put on you. But as Mahatma Gandi noted, “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”

In January 2023 I chose freedom as my one word. ?Now, in January 2024 I chose another.

Choosing one word is the manifestation of intent, borne of deep enquiry, introspection and reflection. It’s a beacon to guide me through the challenges of life. Something to help me make wiser decisions as I navigate hidden commitments. I take inspiration from Dr. Jason Fox who advocates to 'choose one word'.

As noted, my word for 2024 is renewal. My #yearofrenewal #oneword2024

Renewal means “resuming something after an interruption”. Renewal is the?act?or?process?of making?changes?to something in?order?to?improve?it so that it?becomes?more?successful. Or a?situation?in which something?begins?again, after having?stopped?for a?period?of?time.

I chose renewal in 2024 as I faltered in my #yearoffreedom #theyearthatwas.? When I committed to embrace freedom, I was open and vulnerable and acknowledged that it meant the Courage to fall, the Trust to fly and a *Year of Growth.

It was a year not without merit or worth.? In 2023 I got back to boot camp, got my 2nd Dan Black Belt, renovated my house, saw my two children take up their freedoms with success.?

But I acknowledge I became complacent and comfortable. It was a bit like work imagined rather than work done. It was an incomplete project.? This scenario was echoed by my good friend Catherine Genn who messaged me in August 2023 noting “You haven’t posted for a while #yearoffreedom. I was wondering if you are ok?”.

I am recommitting – renewing.? ?No excuses.

Jason Fox says the words of our past chapters are never ‘abandoned’.? It is not some linear-sequential journey.? We…assimilate these words into our ‘character’.? Since I began this journey in earnest, I have had a year of courage (2020), discipline (2021), warrior (2022) and then freedom (2023).?

In this my #yearofrenewal I am focusing deeply on commitment, not only accomplishment. Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway knowing that when I am truly committed, I do the work despite not feeling like it.

Continually making progress – no going back, as Brad Stulberg notes.? He says: “You never arrive. Wherever you are, the goalpost is always 10 yards down the field.? Dig where your feet are. Learn to find joy and meaning in the process”.

Commitment goes beyond desire. It is about follow through with behaviours and actions that will lead to accomplishment. Commitment is both an internal desire plus a cognitive decision that is combined with tangible action. ?

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I am renewing my commitment to harness my inner energy and mindset. As @Rick Hanson advocates: getting on my “own side”. Focusing on my ability to change and adapt while striking ‘my balance’ and prioritising self-care to achieve equilibrium, more strength and overall confidence and focus on ‘being” which “then leads to a better state of becoming”. As Brad Stulberg notes ‘fierce self-discipline and fierce self-kindness can co-exist [and] doing hard things is integral to building excellence and meaning in life…but if you aren’t kind to yourself, your discipline is not going to be sustainable”.

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Dr. Jason Fox recommends three principles: to bring me closer to meaningful progress, relevance, and the person I am to be. My three principles to guide me in 2024 are captured in the abbreviation CRM:

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1. Carefree – choose an attitude where I am less bothered by others; their “should” or “should nots.” Less rigid, holding things lightly but those things I hold tightly are on my terms and not others.

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2. Recovery – both mind, body and soul – be social but get the balance right knowing when to rest, reflect and be intentionally mindful about renewal – navigating this well throughout the year.

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3. Mastery - prioritise exercise and my self-care. Take pride in being strong and confident even in the struggle – as there will be days of struggle choose to operationalise the #fivesecondrule. Be comfortable with the ‘order, disorder and reorder’ rhythm to achieve sustainable, stable change.

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Many have written about renewal and the benefits and opportunity that flows from it. I am inspired but not limited to these few quotations:

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“Begin again.

Begin again. Every year Every day Every moment Begin again.”? ―?Shellen Lubin

?“There is no renewal without rest.” ―?Lailah Gifty Akita

“Without the element of renewal, you are doomed to continually repeat life's experiences over and over continuously without respite.”? ―?Steven Redhead,?Life Is A Circus

“A comeback is a setback that did its homework, learned the lesson, and then moved forward.” ―?Eleanor Brownn

“Change is supremely inconvenient, uncomfortable and naturally scary. Yet we only move through life through the process of change, reinvention and renewal, and so bravery is our quintessential rebel for pushing us past our own limiting beliefs and behaviours. Bravery is feeling the fear, immersing yourself into it and through it so you can come out the other side.”? ―?Christine Evangelou,?Rocks Into Roses: Life Lessons and Inspiration for Personal Growth

“Of Ruin and Renewal

We are souls

Of ruin and renewal

Sorting through the rubble Of our painful past.

We are souls

Of ruin and renewal

Waiting for the dust

To settle at last

We are souls

Of ruin and renewal

Searching for eyes that see us

And walk through the debris

We are souls

Of ruin and renewal,

We rebuild, we revive,

We repurpose our own story.” ―?Liz Newman,?Of Ruin and Renewal: Poems For Rebuilding

Here is to the Year of Renewal. #yearofrenewal

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